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Thursday, February 2, 2012

My Letter To You

Dear Grandma
Stone,

Last night I
stepped out of the shower and grabbed a clean towel from the closet, started to
dry my face, and stopped. I took a long, sweet, inhale of that towel which
smelled exactly like the ones I’d pull from beneath your bathroom sink as a
child. That wood-soaked, fresh-laundry smell, hinting slightly of shelf liner
and extra bars of soap, transported me back into your house, into the hall
bathroom, and I was 5, 7, 13 again, stepping out of your shower and onto the
yellow carpet. There were the Picasso-esque New Orleans jazz players on the
wall at my right, the brass floor rack that held extra towels by the double
sink, the soap dish that cradled mysteriously shaped soaps I was always too
scared to use. I didn’t want to mar them. I used the pump dispenser.

And when I went
to bed last night I couldn’t get you or your house out of my mind. Was it
because it was your birthday and I hadn’t called? Was my obsession motivated by
guilt? I laid in bed for over an hour and walked through your home in my memory.
Like a 360-degree video clip I scanned each room; the walls, the contents of
the cupboards, the index card labels on each box and carton written in black sharpie.
Walking into your home always filled me with such a sense of peace; the smells,
the quiet jazz station playing from the radio on the counter, the cleanly order
of each room, dusted and sparkling perfection. Your home was one of the few
places I felt I could truly escape, even amidst the turmoil of life and work
and motherhood, and no matter my age, where I could stretch out my arm for the
soft caress of your fingers. I imagined all this and for a brief, fleeting
moment, felt like things were still as they were. And you still lived there on
Manhatton Drive and I could still go to you for respite. In your presence I
could always breathe deeply, unencumbered by life.

Dad had taken me
through your home when it was empty and cleaned, the walls sterilized with
fresh white paint, the new windows draft and rattle free. Walking in sucked the
breath from my body as if every beautiful thing and all the magic and all our
history in those rooms had been wiped clean, existing only in particles of
eraser dust on the crisp, virgin carpet. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to that
house then. I’m not really ready to say goodbye to you now.

Is that why I
imagined your home so vividly last night? Did you know about today somehow, and
send me those beautiful memories to help make today easier for me? It did a
little. I think.

You’d be glad to
know I’m surrounded by you in my home. I go to bed and wake up every morning
seeing your painting; the nude you painted in art class hangs in gold frame on
my ice blue bedroom walls. It’s the most perfect place for that piece, the room
bringing out the best in the aquamarines and browns. I stare at that painting
and try to imagine what you were like at that age, try to imagine you painting
it, what you might have been wearing, the strokes of your hands as you laid the
oils on canvas. Your other painting hangs in my living room, your dishes are in
my kitchen cupboards, I pour tea from the crystal pitcher you gave me, your
beautiful crèche adorned my holiday mantel. You are everywhere here. And yet, you
live most vibrantly in my memories of plywood play sets and green felt advent
trees, red suitcases filled with special toys, and dolls from faraway lands. Wicker
ducks and chickens that laid candy once a day, and a closet full of strange and
exciting toys I’d never seen and didn’t have at home. The smell of your
lipstick and Bill Blass perfume. Your closet that housed a menagerie of
necklaces and jewelry. The way you set a beautiful table. Your gift for
gracious hostessing. Your bible verses and quotes on the side of your
refrigerator. Your never ending lists of things to do, to make, to order, to
cook, to prepare for.

I was coming to
visit, in three short weeks (now three long weeks), to hold your hand and sit
by your bed and keep you company. I would have brought you chocolate covered
ginger even if you could have only smelled it. I wanted to show you the book I
just published, even if I only read you a few pages. In my heart, did I suspect
this might happen? Perhaps. But even when we know what the future holds, it’s
still difficult isn’t it Grandma? And although I know there was rejoicing in
heaven today when you got up there and that this day was the best of your life,
right at this very moment it doesn’t console me much.

I could wax
poetic forever about the childhood memories you gave me and the endless ways
you made me feel special. But the value of those recollections matter to no one
but my own heart. And now, in heaven you know them all. There is nothing left
to say except I’m sorry I didn’t call you yesterday.

22 comments:

You brought tears to my eyes. So beautifully written and so many of your sentiments were true to my feelings towards my Nanna. I recently faced the cleaning out of my grandparents home and it also enlivened many special memories, smells and images. Thanks for sharing x

Your words have made me cry! I send my hugs across the miles to you- I'm so glad you have the memories to hold on to (and such beautiful memories they are)- but they certainly don't remove the pain of loss. (especially for such a wonderful woman)- after reading this, I only hope I will be half as good a grandmother to my grandchildren.

Rachel--Memories so eloquently spoken don't surprise me. I have many more I could add to the list of endearing moments I experienced during my many wonderful visits with a special "sister" and brother. Like you, I spent last night remembering-- going over old pictures in albums. It brought tears but those of joy --that I was privileged to have known and love such a fine lady. Love to you and your family--Aunt Barbara

Very Beautiful Rachel! I will always remember her as a warm, welcoming,and gracious individual. she gave me wonderful ideas of ways to spend with Josh and Tara when they were little that they will always remember as will I!

I stumbled accross your blog just now and my eyes are full of tears. My husband just lost his mother on the 16th and we are in a state of greif ourselves... This beautifully written post speaks to how much your grandmother meant to you and though I don't know you, I am truly sorry for your loss.

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